Student helps GCU Mountaineering Club reach new heights
A PHD student has reflected on his love for the great outdoors and the GCU Mountaineering Club.
Jakob Tribula grew up in the Northern Bavaria region of Germany and began studying an MSc in Risk Management in September 2020, during the height of the pandemic.
When travel restrictions eased, Jakob made his way to Scotland and continued to develop his professional knowledge, while also discovering his love for fitness and hillwalking.
We caught up with Jakob, who is now President of the GCU Mountaineering Club, to hear about everything from his passion for Scotland’s natural beauty, through to his plans to help members develop over the course of the next academic year.
Just to start off, tell me a bit about your interest in hiking?
“I initially started hiking with my parents and then my friends. I then started climbing during the second half of my Undergraduate degree, I was probably about 21 years old.
“Covid meant that all of that disappeared for a time. When I started my Masters degree at GCU, I actually joined the Mountaineering Club because I was hoping covid would end and we would be able to go out again. That didn’t happen and most our meetings were online, but it was still a good way for me to meet people.”
You’re obviously now the President of the GCU Mountaineering Club, tell me a bit more about it and how you became more involved?
“It’s been around forever! We actually recently found some pictures from the early 2000s, but when I joined the club was actually referred to as “outdoor sports”. The problem was that it didn’t really feel like a group because there wasn’t that many people who were actually active in attending social events and hikes.
“We held our AGM last year and we were looking for three members to form a committee. I knew I would have a bit of free time, so I was up for getting involved. I was elected Vice-President at that point, but still without any specific knowledge or interest in mountaineering – and definitely no knowledge around doing it in Scotland.
“Up until then, I just really liked walking, and most of the others in the group were the same. We took last summer to go and explore Scotland and visit different places that were accessible by bus and train. It was nice because the world had returned to normal after covid, so we were able to properly socialise and visit pubs.”
What is it you particularly enjoy about hillwalking?
“It’s quiet. It’s a great way for me to get away from the big city and the concrete - it allows you to clear your head. Having that chance to enjoy lunch on top of a mountain looking into the vastness of the Scottish Highlands is an added bonus. I still really enjoy that aspect of it, but it’s now developed into more of a passion in wanting to push myself further with more technical climbs.”
How has the GCU Mountaineering club developed in recent times?
“Over the past academic year,we’ve had one or two day hikes per month. We also started monthly weekend trips in January and that has quickly become a big event for us as a group. The weekends allow us to travel further, and we actually went to Wales in March and Torridin in April, which you obviously couldn’t do as a day trip.
“We now have 45 members and there is probably about 15 of us that take part in the weekend trips.”
You must be close as a group to go away and spend the weekend together?
“I think that’s the biggest change in comparison to last year: we were just students who occasionally met up, but now we’re a proper community. Our WhatsApp group is used regularly to set up different hikes and climbing sessions – especially during the summer months just now.”
Are you looking for more members?
“Yes, definitely. Currently it’s great because we know all the people that come to the socials and trips regularly. I know that’s not the case at other universities because they are so much bigger. 45 members is a nice amount, but I think having more members would make the weekend trips particularly fun, particularly since we always rent out village halls. It’s not like you’re going to a hotel, and everyone goes to their own room – it’s always good fun!”
“We are a very diverse group, which is great because you get to meet people you would have never otherwise met. When you’re out on a hill and then spend two nights together in a remote village hall, you really get to know people. It’s not just like small talk you would get in the library, you actually get the chance to make friends.”
Is anyone welcome to join?
“Yes, of course, anyone is welcome! We’re currently looking at getting more equipment for the club, things like waterproofs and backpacks, so that anyone can give it a go. It’s the same with climbing, it doesn’t matter if you’ve done it all your life or never tried it – everyone is welcome.
“12 of our members are going to Chamonix in the Alps later this month. At least half the people coming had zero experience of climbing at the start of the year, and now we’re looking at doing two solid days of climbing in France! It’s actually particularly exciting because we’re going to be staying in a lovely apartment complex with a spa, which is a bit different to the village halls!”
Do you have any particular highlights from your time with the club?
“My favourite memory was our first weekend away together at Glencoe in January. The Vice President and I were the only ones that trained with winter skills, which allowed us to do a particular climb. We didn’t actually get to finish it because the weather got pretty bad, but it was still a fantastic experience. That was definitely my favourite climb so far.
“We also spent a weekend in Torridon, which is north of Skye. It was fantastic because we did some very tough hikes there.
“In terms of socials, our first karaoke night was really fun. We had it in Supercube – karaoke is definitely perfect for a big group like ours! It was a great way for everyone to meet.”
What’s the year ahead looking like?
“The next big thing is the trip to France. We’ve also already booked weekends away for the next academic year. We’re going to Glencoe, Spean Bridge and then returning to Torridon. There will also be a few more day trips as well.
“We also want to focus on actual training this year. We’re going to have a Mountaineering Scotland guide with us for one of the weekends in October or November. The same guide will also join us in
Glencoe in January for winter skills training. This is really important because it can be very dangerous to explore the hills in winter without knowledge. Having the guide there will help our members feel more confident in future.
“Over the next year, we’re also going to have more of a focus on the actual climbing side as well. Walking and mountaineering is great, but our members can also get involved in climbing and bouldering. There’s going to be climbing sessions every week next year and again, anyone is welcome.”
How impressed are you with the hills in Scotland?
“It’s an incredible place to be. One of our members from Switzerland compared the Swiss paths to the Scottish paths. What is regarded as a beginner path in Scotland would be recognised as much more challenging in the European Alps. I think it shows just how good Scotland is and also shows how Scottish people have that ‘just do it’ attitude.”
As someone who was new to hillwalking when they arrived in Scotland, how do you look back on your own development as a climber?
“I went to the extreme with getting fit for the mountains. I did quite a bit of research into how to train and what to do to get the most out of it. It actually ended up increasing my overall interest in fitness and led to me running a marathon.”
How did that go?
“It hurt. The marathon itself was fun, but the day after wasn’t. It was really good training, but I think that’s the thing with hillwalking: it doesn’t really feel like exercise, but you can definitely feel yourself becoming fitter. Being able to walk to lectures on the 5th floor without breaking into a sweat is a nice bonus.”
There are obviously physical benefits to hillwalking, but do you feel it’s also helped you in other ways?
“Hillwalking in general is fantastic for mental health. One thing we consistently hear from members is that’s one of the benefits of the weekends and day hikes. It allows them to get away from the madness of lectures and exams. Having that time with nature allows you to stop thinking about all of that and helps you find yourself again.
“One of our members, who actually graduated with a degree in psychology, made a poster about all the different mental health benefits hillwalking brings. We had it a Freshers’ Week last year and will hopefully be showing it off again this year.
“It’s important to get out the busy streets of Glasgow and just relax. You will sweat and the next day you will hurt, but it’s a good pain to know you’ve done something that really benefits you on a personal level.”
By Ross Clark
Got an SHLS or GSBS story? Email me at Ross.Clark@gcu.ac.uk or message me on Twitter
Find out how you can get involved in GCU’s Mountaineering Club here